Track bike?

OK, after nearly destroying my R1 at brands I have been looking long and hard at the ZXR400 track bike in my garage, it is all set for track with ohlins suspension etc etc. The bike is 100% legit I am sending off for the V5 and its doing nothing in my garage. Please can someone answer my questions (without stupid remarks):)Do you think it a wise move to buy it and use it for track days considering I am an absolute novice? (I mean I’ll turn up with a van and track bike, all the gear NO idea kinda flex)

Is it worth going halves or thirds with other LBers to share the bike? Share maintanence, but repair damage personally if you drop it.

Does anyone do this? Have shares in a track bike.

I would REALLY apretiate the advice from those of you who know what they are talking about, thanks guys:D

I’ve just bought a trailer to tow a bike and am looking for a track bike, I don’t care that I’ll have all the gear and much less experience than most (I do have some idea :slight_smile: ), at least I’ll be going home to a great looking road bike even if I do come off on track. I’ll also be able to get home without relying on somebody else to take the bike etc and can fix the track bike at leisure :slight_smile:

Hi Redz - Hope the ribs are feeling better.There is nothing better than owning a trackbike IMHO. Forget the days where you ride to the circuit (not so bad if Brands, a p*sser if Cadwell if not staying in a hotel…) on squared off road tyres in the early dawn coldness. Forget the sense of ‘what if’ I drop my commuting tool or aftermarket blinged pride and joy. Forget only bringing what fits into a backpack or under the seat.I say go for it. Despite the brief time on track at Brands, it will have shown you what these days are all about and the enjoyment that unfettered performance riding can provide. A ZXR400 is a perfect trackday tool to start with, and will enable you to focus on technique and carrying corner speed. Don’t give a stuff for anyone else’s opinion on ‘all the gear and no idea’, you ride for your own enjoyment not to be accepted as part of a gang or clique. Biking ultimately is a solo activity not a team sport and we can all see from Elad’s riding at Brands that bike/fashion faux pas means nothing when you can embarrass other riders with your lean angles and speed :w00t:As long as you factor in the cost of transport and some bits and bobs like jerry cans, tool sets, increased tyre bills and the inevitable fettling fetish you’ll develop - I think that the bike would be a great purchase.I know of two mates who shared a track bike a couple of years back but they ended up getting one each in the end as they argued over it and settings like suspension. Best to have your own.I plan on doing at least 10-12 trackdays this year on my trackbike, but there is no reason why you shouldn’t have one for fewer.

  1. make sure its yours and yours alone. Sods law you’ll both want it etc etc
  2. A 400 is a great bike to start and progress on. As track tools in the right hands they can lap brands sub 51 secs so don’t worry about it not being big or powerful enough. On a lesser powered machine you also learn to ride far better than the point and squirt antics of the trackday powerbike crew meaning if in the future you want to change you’ll be far far far better than if you hopped straight on a 600 or powerbike (i think you might have been bitten by doing this already?)
  3. in the track game it doesn’t matter how fast or what you look like as everyone at a track respects each others love of riding and how hard it is to get there in the first place.

all in all i say go for it and let the learning begin :stuck_out_tongue:

Hehe, those leathers are not a fashion Faux pas, they are setting a trend…how many white leathers are on the shelves now then eh??? (ducks) :smiley:

But seriously I agree with all above, dont give two squirts of p*ss about other peoples attitude, plain as.

A trackbike is a brilliant idea, but as before, dont share that will just end in fisticuffs, and if you can get a V5 and daylight MOT (i.e. you dont need lights) then you can ride the bike to the track as well, so leave the investment of a truck/trailer for later.

SEE TOLD YA:D;):w00t::smiley:

Thanks fellas, I will invest in a bike trailer and towbar for my murano and make an offer on this ZXR. I understand your points about falling out over changes to the bike and useage etc if I shared ownership, BUT I am an extremely easy going guy, this looks like the begining of something fun:D

Staying on the shelves if you ask me.

If you can find the right person I could see sharing a bike working, someone in a different pace group who rides their road bike to the track (just in case one of you bins the track bike in the 1st session, I’ve heard this does happen).

Back when it was all fields around here, I learnt trackcraft on a RS250. I wanted a 400 but prices were a bit silly so settled for a slightly scuffed 250.

I’d say it was a good move for several reasons.

Reason number 273 is that they are lighter when they land on your ribs.

BTW - Elads leathers are very good.

[quote]
Ducati Pete (06/03/2008)

Back when it was all fields around here, I learnt trackcraft on a RS250. I wanted a 400 but prices were a bit silly so settled for a slightly scuffed 250.I’d say it was a good move for several reasons.

Reason number 273 is that they are lighter when they land on your ribs.

BTW - Elads leathers are very good.[/quote]thats because you want them so there`s no one on the track with brighter leathers than you:P:D:P